Guide to the Erasmus Hall collection ARC.230
Center for Brooklyn History
128 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn 11201
cbhreference@bklynlibrary.org
Brooklyn Historical Society
Collection processed by Nicholas Pavlik
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on March 21, 2023
eng using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Descriptive Summary
| Title: | Erasmus Hall collection |
|---|---|
| Dates [inclusive]: | 1787-2000 |
| Abstract: | The Erasmus Hall collection includes documents, ephemera, and publications from Erasmus Hall Academy and Erasmus Hall High School. |
| Quantity: | 0.4 Linear Feet in one manuscript box and three oversize folders. |
| Call Phrase: | ARC.230 |
| Sponsor: | This collection was originally processed and described as part of the project, "Uncovering the Secrets of Brooklyn's 19th Century Past: Creation to Consolidation," funded by the Council on Library and Information Resources, with additional support from The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation. |
Historical Note
The first school to be chartered by New York State, Erasmus Hall Academy was founded as a private school in 1786 by Dutch settlers in the town of Flatbush in Kings County (the present-day borough of Brooklyn). The Academy's original building was built on land donated by the Flatbush Dutch Reformed Church the following year. The Academy was deeded to the City of Brooklyn in 1896, after which it became a public high school named Erasmus Hall High School. From 1905 to 1939, four adjoining buildings were constructed for the school around a central courtyard, and the school's original building underwent restorations in 1936, 1952, and 1987. As of 2011, the school continues to be a part of New York City's public school system, and is located at 911 Flatbush Avenue. It is now the second-oldest public high school in the United States.
Sources:
- Taylor, B. Kimberly. "Erasmus Hall High School and Academy of the Arts," in The Encyclopedia of New York City, ed. Kenneth T. Jackson (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press; New York: New York Historical Society, c1995), 382.
Scope and Contents
The Erasmus Hall collection is arranged into two series: Erasmus Hall Academy (1786-1896) and Erasmus Hall High School (1896-). Series 1: Erasmus Hall Academy includes a typescript copy of the Academy's certificate of incorporation from 1787; an account book listing all students and tuition payments from 1787 to 1792 and treasurers' accounts from 1819 to 1875; receipts for tuition payments and insurance policy documents dating from 1865 to 1869; and original and copied land records from 1787 to 1896, along with other materials. Series 2: Erasmus Hall High School includes images, ephemera, publications, and documents from the school.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into two series by institution and time period. Within each series, the arrangement is roughly chronological.
Access Points
Document Type
- Land titles |z New York (State) |z Kings County
- Insurance policies
- Account books
- Receipts (financial records)
- Certificates of incorporation
- Accounts
Subject Topics
- School lands -- New York (State) -- Kings County
- Deeds
- Private schools -- New York (State) -- Kings County
- Education -- New York (State) -- Kings County
Subject Places
- Flatbush (New York, N.Y.)
- Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Access
Open to users without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
While many items at the Center for Brooklyn History are unrestricted, we do not own reproduction rights to all materials. Be aware of the several kinds of rights that might apply: copyright, licensing and trademarks. The researcher assumes all responsibility for copyright questions.
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, date (if known); Erasmus Hall collection, ARC.230, Box and Folder number; Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History.
Separated Materials
Some duplicates and original news clippings were discarded.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
If digital surrogates exist, they should be used in place of the originals whenever possible.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
BHS accession 1977.377 was the gift of Mrs. A. Lloyd Lott, 1946. BHS accession 1978.113 was the gift of Alma Uhlitz, 1974. BHS accession 1978.193 was the gift of Kranzt, Landau, Lieb and Nostrand, 1978. BC accession 2009.0015 was a transfer from the Queens Library, 2009. BC accessions 2018.0001 and 2018.0020 were purchased from Brian Merlis.
Processing Information
This collection was originally titled "Erasmus Hall Academy records" and combined BHS accessions 1977.377, 1978.113, and 1978.193. In 2023, materials from BHS accession 1985.054, BC accession 2009.0015, the Brooklyn ephemera collection (BCMS.0007), and the Brooklyn Collection clippings files were added as well and the collection was renamed to better reflect its contents.
Container List
Series 1: Erasmus Hall Academy, 1786-1896
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| Container 1 | Container 2 | Title | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box: 1 | Folder : 1 | Account book
Immediate Source of AcquisitionGift of Alma Uhlitz, 1974.
Scope and ContentsLists all students and tuition amounts paid (1787-1792) as well as treasurers' accounts (1819-1875). |
1787-1875 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 2 | Lease [modern copies]
Immediate Source of AcquisitionThese items and the two indentures of 1861 and 1893 were the gift of Kranzt, Landau, Lieb and Nostrand, 1978. |
1797 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 3 | Commercial course receipt |
1801 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 4 | Indenture |
1861 | |
| Box: OS-6 | Receipts for payments of courses and insurance policies
Immediate Source of AcquisitionGift of Mrs. A. Lloyd Lott, 1946. |
1865-1869 | ||
| Box: 1 | Folder : 5 | Debating club notes |
circa 1880s | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 6 | Catalogue |
1885 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 7 | Centennial materials |
1887 | |
| Box: OS-6 | Indenture |
1893 | ||
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Series 2: Erasmus Hall High School, 1896-
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| Container 1 | Container 2 | Title | Date | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 8 | Images and postcards |
circa early to mid-20th century | |
| Box: 2 | Glass plate negatives
Scope and ContentsClubs, sports teams and graduating classes. |
1900-1910 | ||
| Box: 1 | Folder : 9 | Commencement programs |
1904, 1907, 1920, 1922, 1941 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 10 | Event programs |
1905-1952 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 11 | Correspondence
Scope and Contents1983 letter is from Mayor Ed Koch to Mrs. Mindy M. Turkenitz of the Special Education Department. |
1905, 1983 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 12 | Class Day programs |
1907, 1924, 1935 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 13-14 | 125th anniversary materials
Scope and ContentsIncludes an anniversary publication and a pageant postcard set with nine of the original 11 postcards. |
1912 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 15 | Clipping about student riot |
1916 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 16 | Erasmian magazine |
1935, 1970-1971 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 17 | 150th anniversary materials |
1937 | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 18 | Diplomas and certificates
Scope and ContentsThe diploma was awarded to Frederick Kraushar and the certificates for achievement in Spanish and English were awarded to Judith Wagman. |
1947-1952 | |
| Box: OS-6 | Sing materials
Scope and ContentsIncludes front page and clippings from The Dutchman, 1956, and a photocopy of a Sing button from 1957. |
1956-1957 | ||
| Box: 1 | Folder : 19 | Erasmus Hall Museum |
1966, circa 1990s | |
| Box: 1 | Folder : 20 | Bicentennial materials |
1987 | |
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